After Dark {N. L}

9

˗ˏˋ ✧ ˎˊ˗

Kaz had been her guardian, protector, mentor, and big brother. He'd made her into the person that she was. She had come to Ketterdam broken and alone, but she left the opposite. Kaz Brekker had given her a new life, family, and home. The brother she never knew she needed until she met him. Now, she can't live without him.

Sturmhond always noticed a shadow behind Brekker in Ketterdam. He'd always thought it was Inej, but it wasn't. It was Ira. She followed him everywhere he went, observing, learning, and admiring everything he did. She remembered every single thing that he taught her.

'A good magician is a good con artist. The trick is to make it look real.' He said, and that's what they did. Ira and Kaz conned everyone into thinking that she did not exist, that she was someone else, and for the rest of their time working together, they lived on that line. The main lesson that Ira had picked up from her mentor, was the ability to blur the line between what's real and what's fake.

Even on the ship, they behaved the same. 'Brekker wants to know how far we are from Ravka. Since we took a different route.' Ira asked Sturmhond.

A week had gone by since the accident and Sturmhond and Ira resumed the old habit of meeting at night to work or when they just couldn't sleep. The privateer had gotten used to Ira's change in behavior from night to day. At night, it was just the two of them and the open sea. At day, she was just Kaz Brekker's employee. That's how he saw it.

They were back to normal. Sturmhond's heroic behavior changed hers slightly. She started to act like herself around him, but only at night.

' Why can't he just ask me himself? You lot are so weird. When I talk to you, he's your mouthpiece. When I try to talk to him, you're his mouthpiece. Can't you-'

'How far?' Ira kept a straight face with her hands behind her back. So formal. Every time Sturmhond tried to extend their day conversations longer than business talk, he failed miserably.

'Approximately three weeks.'

She nodded and turned to leave but failed. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Confusion filled her features as she looked at the smug look on his face. 'What do you think you're-'

'What's going on here?'

'Nothing Ana- I mean... Brekker.' she put her head down in respect.

'What does Ana mean?' Sturmhond asked whilst holding her hand still.

'Shut up and let go. You're being disrespectful.' she whispered.
He let go.
'Sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you.'
'Not me, you're disrespecting Brekker.'
'By holding you?'

'The pirate said we should be at Ravka in approximately three weeks.' she told Kaz.

'Privateer. It's not that hard to remember.'

'I'll be at my quarters if you need me.' Kaz told Ira and left.

Ira was on her way, 'Where are you going? I wanted to play chess with you.'

'The kitchen.'
'Why?'
'To poison your food.'

Sturmhond followed her to the kitchen. It wasn't much. Just a room full of food supplies. She gathered ingredients and started to make Kaz's afternoon tea. He always liked it when she made him her Suli tea. All of the spices and warmth. It calmed his nerves and it became a habit to serve it to him every afternoon, not because he asked, but because she always felt the need to look after him. Just like how he looked after her for so many years. Kaz was a picky eater. Ira always made sure he ate on time, drank his tea to help with sleep, and had his work in order. Ira was the closest person to a family that Kaz had.

The only one he would allow to look after him. His little sister. He'd go to the ends of the earth to make sure that she gets what she wants. Whatever it is, he'll get it for her. Right now, it was her freedom. He brought his crew on the most dangerous heist, all for her.

'Can I have that?'
'No.'
'But I want some.'
'I'll come back and make you some.'

She went to Kaz's quarters to serve him the tea and Sturmhond followed. It was weird. Just as Ira followed Kaz everywhere, Sturmhond was following Ira the same way as of late. He couldn't leave her alone, maybe it was out of guilt, fear, or just enjoyment of her existence.

'Wait here.' she said to him before opening the door.

She left the tea on his nightstand. 'Ira?'

'Yes?'

'You've been spending a lot of time with that pirate.'

The pirate that's outside the door. She hoped he hadn't moved closer because she told him to wait at a distance where he couldn't hear their conversation.

'Not purposely.'

Kaz stood up. 'These pirates know nothing but lying, stealing, and deceiving. But you know that already.'

'Yes.'
'Watch out for that Sturmhond. We both know that he's not who he says he is. He may try to charm you-'

'Kaz no. It's not like that with him. You know I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our job.'

'I know. But everyone seems to have forgotten that he was the one that made us lose our club. Our home.'

Ira had forgotten.
'Yes. I haven't forgotten.'
'Good. Send Jesper to my room on your way out.'

She walked out.
'Tea now?' Sturmhond asked.

'I have to tell Jesper something first.' They looked all over for the Zemini boy and found him trying to flirt his way through winning a wager in the corner of the ship.

'Ah Ira, my good luck charm.'
'You're banned from playing.'
'Well, I won't tell if you won't.'

'Tamar is cracking you, yeah?' Sturmhond said.
'Killing me. She took my pride away with my coins. Merciless.'

'I should hope so. I taught her how to play, after all, and we all know, I never lose. You should try playing me next time. Got a lot in my pockets.'

'It's a trap. I should know, this brute took all my money away the first day I met him.' Tamar spoke.

'Ha. Well, I'm never one to walk away from a wager-'

'Boss wants to see you.' Ira said.

'I guess our game will have to be postponed.' he nodded and left, while the two made their way towards the kitchen.

'Tea now?'
'Tea now.'